Director-general of police Abhayanand at a review meeting at Gaya DIG office. Telegraph picture

Patna, Sept. 9: Bihar police have developed corporate culture with the change of guard at the helm of affairs.

The change in the style of functioning was evident when the newly-appointed director-general of police (DGP) Abhayanand held a review meeting with senior police officials of Magadh range on Wednesday.

Contrary to prevalent practice, the DGP held separate meetings with the deputy inspector-generals (DIGs) and the superintendents of police (SPs). Instead of a one-sided meet, there was an interactive session between the DGP and the police officials, perhaps for the first time in the recent past. At his maiden meeting after assuming charge as the state police chief, Abhayanand held a one-to-one meeting with the range DIG and the SPs of Gaya, Aurangabad, Arwal and Jehananabad. He categorically defined the role of the DIG and SP in crime control and maintenance of law and order.

“Though it was an official meeting, everything appeared to be informal. The DGP was very informal and wanted to get more and more feedback from the junior officers. In fact, by holding separate meetings with the DIGs and the SPs, he wanted to get feedback at the grassroots level,” said a police officer quoting the DGP.

Describing SPs as “managers of the districts”, the DGP told the officers: “I have given you manpower, materials and other resources. You are the managers of the districts and it is up to you to decide how to manage things.” He asked the SPs to adopt the basis system of policing.

“Try to look into the problems of your men, sort them out and then ask for their support. It all depends on how you access to your men. If you take care of their welfare, they will certainly take care of you, even at the hour of crisis,” the DGP reportedly told the SPs and the DIGs.

The DGP was overwhelmed when an SP apprised him that he had written letters personally to all the police personnel of the district, telling them to contact him on his cellphone. If you are in trouble, you may call me any time and anywhere. I will be there at your help,” the SP told the DGP, while referring to the contents of the letter.

The new DGP wanted to operate through the SPs, who are pivotal for the police force. “If the SP visits the place of occurrence, probes the case and then supervises it, his or her juniors will certainly follow suit,” the DGP told the officers.

He suggested them to go to the field and interact more with people. “By doing such things, we will get a lot of information from the public,” the DGP said, referring to the traditional way of policing. “Time has changed. But there are certain things, which are still relevant. Adopt good things and implement them in your way.” “The DGP played the role of a teacher than of a super cop at the five-hour meet. In fact, it was a brainstorming session rather than a meeting,” said an SP under the cover of anonymity. He said he has worked with four DGPs but for the first time, he felt the change. Abhyanand, in fact, is a cop with a difference.